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Lohri Festival is celebrated every year on 13th of January (Hindu month of Paush or Magh). It is the harvest festival of Punjab, which welcomes the onset of spring season and the end of the winter season. The festival of Lohri marks the entry of the sun in the rashi (zodiac) of Makara (Capricorn). It is considered as a very propitious day as it represents a new start. The first Lohri in a family, after marriage of a son or birth of a child, has special significance and is celebrated with much elaboration. Though it is a native festival of Punjab, it is celebrated in the capital city of Delhi with equal enthusiasm.
The festival of Lohri at Delhi is celebrated amongst the Sikh and Hindu population. The festival consists mainly of worshipping the fire. A bonfire of wood and cattle dung is lit after sunset and people gather around to celebrate. Thereafter, sweets, peanuts, puffed rice and popcorn are thrown into the flames and a mixture of water and unboiled milk (Kachi Lassi) is poured all around it. Lohri celebrations in New Delhi, the capital of India are incomplete without singing and dancing, especially the traditional dance of bhangra and gidda and the folk songs.
There is a legend associated with the festival of Lohri. It is said that there was once a Muslim highway robber known as Dullla Bhatti. He was a sort of the Indian version of the Robin Hood. He used to intimidate the prosperous people of Punjab and rob them of their riches. However, he was a savior of the poor and even rescued Hindu girls from being sold off in the slave markets. Consequently, he attained the status of a hero amongst the Punjabis and till today, folk songs praising him are sung on the occasion of Lohri.
History of Lohri
The mythology of Lohri is quite interesting, it’s based on one person named DullaBhatti, who was a local thief for the rich but a savior for the poor. He saved young girls from the shaikhs who tried to sell them in the slave market. He would save the girls and also arrange their marriages to the worthy ones. Hence his name is also sung in many folk songs sung during the bon fire.
The importance of the bon fire that is lit during the auspicious occasion also has a very deep significance. In order to show respect to the natural elements cow dung and dried branches and twigs are used to start up the fire. Along the sides of the fire, milk and water are poured and sesame seeds (til), gudh and sugar candies are tossed in the fire. The bon fire usually starts at dusk to pray that the coming days must last longer than before and to show that winter has almost come to an end and it is the beginning of spring.
Lohri Celebrations
The state of Punjab is famous for its rich food and vibrant colored clothing that people wear, but during this festival of Lohri, the colors are even more highlighted and enhanced and bring up an environment of positive vibes and enthusiastic attitude. It is not just a festival for farmers living in the rural land but is also an opportunity for the native people of Punjab living in cities to interact with their family and friends.
A huge bon fire is made into which til (sesame seeds), gudh (jaggery) and nuts are thrown. Traditional dance forms like gidda and bhangra are done around the bon fire with dhol and nagadas beating in the background. People wear their traditional attires usually made out of silk. While dancing, the ladies also sing folklores which are usually about the God of sun. Kids go door to door singing in groups, and when they are done, the families offer them home made sweets and gifts, it is believed to be bad luck if the families deny them these commodities which symbolizes good luck.
Delhi is the capital city of Indian Republic and thus has a vibrant culture. This is pretty evident from the fact that various kinds of fairs and festivals are held almost every now and then. No matter what time of the year you visit Delhi; you will find some or other fair or festival being organized. Most of these fairs or festivals are organized to showcase either the Indian culture or its technological advancement. They are organized in various parts of the city and are attended by people coming from different backgrounds and strata. Thus, besides reflecting the cultural, scientific, educational advancement, the fairs and festivals of Delhi bring cohesion among the people.
The foremost and the torchbearer among them is India International Trade Fair (IITF), popularly known as trade fair in Delhi. The Delhi Trade Fair is normally organized in the month of November (14-27). This trade pulls crowd in millions and is arguably one of the largest fair in the world in terms of footfall volume. Besides showcasing products from nearly all the states in India, it has pavilion from nearly 100 countries. This is a one-stop destination to shop whatever you like, literally, from a thing as miniscule as a needle to a thing as gigantic as an Aircraft. Then there is Art and crafts fair that showcases the vivid art and craft of India. There are stalls from nearly all the states with special emphasis on the Tribal art and crafts, fighting the war against extinction.
